A year ago, Michigan State coach Mel Tucker responded to a 2-5 campaign by betting heavily on the transfer portal. Suddenly, the Spartans were 11-2, Peach Bowl champions and a model for every show in hopes of instant turnover.
After a tumultuous low season, 36 FBS programs added 10 or more transfers to rebuild their lists. Five of the top eight classes of this type involved new coaches trying to give their own spin to a program. However, the large number of quality FBS contributors meant that the programs could be transformed in the fall.
Here are five college football programs about to increase thanks to the 2022 transfer portal, ranging from national competitors to technical staff who only need a few breaks.
Notable additions: QB Caleb Williams (Oklahoma), WR Jordan Addison (Pitt), RB Travis Dye (Oregon), LB Eric Gentry (Arizona State), CB Mekhi Blackmon (Colorado)
If there is any doubt, USC has no interest in waiting to compete for the College Football Playoff after stealing Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma. The Trojans made 19 transfers, four more than any other program, including two of the top four players in the class.
Quarterback Caleb Williams is the story after following Riley from Oklahoma, but Biletnikoff winning receiver Jordan Addison made headlines after joining the Trojans last week. The combination immediately rivals CJ Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba among the best QB-WR combos in college football. Also, don’t think Riley skimped on defense. Eleven defenders arrive in Los Angeles through the transfer portal.
The USC list was already undervalued after it collapsed after the dismissal of Clay Helton. With the influx of talent into Heritage Hall, the Trojans will quickly maintain their expectations to challenge the Pac-12.
Notable additions: QB Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), RB Zach Evans (TCU), EDGE Jared Ivey (Georgia Tech), TE Michael Trigg (USC)
The Rebels ranked second in the 247Sports transfer rankings after receiving nine qualified qualified candidates with transfer recruits of four stars or more, behind only Alabama and Texas in the average recruiting rating. Dart is the group’s headliner as No. 3 general recruit and a worthy successor to NFL Draft team Matt Corral.
In addition, the rebels devoted much of their talent to giving weapons to Dart. Runners Ulysses Bentley IV and Evans played on both sides of the Battle for the Iron Skillet. Receivers Malik Heath, Jaylon Robinson and Jordan Watkins are proven commodities.
Ole Miss won 10 regular season games for the first time in program history in 2021. The Rebels have a year of transition with so many new faces, but Lane Kiffin has Ole Miss ready to compete.
Notable additions: QB Casey Thompson (Texas), QB Chubba Purdy (Florida State), DL Stephon Wynn (Alabama), DE Ochaun Mathis (TCU)
The Cornhuskers passed amounts through the portal, adding 14 transfers with more potential on the horizon. Nine of the transfers were from Power Five institutions, including a couple of Alabama advocates in recent days.
Nebraska got heavy on the offensive end after an inconsistent drive cost them numerous one-point games during a shocking 2021 campaign. a long-term option. Receivers Trey Palmer and Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda team up with Omar Manning to give the outside a new look.
The Cornhuskers have constantly struggled to generate the speed and separation needed to play Scott Frost’s spread system. Between transfers and new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, Nebraska is better prepared to participate in competitive games.
4. Texas Longhorns
Notable additions: QB Quinn Ewers (Ohio State), WR Agiye Hall (Alabama), WR Isaiah Neyor (Wyoming), CB Ryan Watts (Ohio State), TE Jahleel Billingsley (Alabama).
The Longhorns only added five transfers, but few teams will rely on their new additions like Texas. Ewers was the first perfect recruit of 1,0000 quarterbacks since Vince Young and immediately changed the vibes around a program that was 5-7 in 2021.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian strengthened his skill sets after introducing 1,000-yard runner Bijan Robinson and nearly 1,000-yard receiver Xavier Worthy in 2021. Neyor recorded 878 yards and 12 touchdowns in Wyoming. while Hall and Billingsley were expected to be Alabama’s top taxpayers in 2022.
If Texas can advance on defense and on the offensive line, both are no guarantees, the Longhorns may emerge as the favorites of the Big 12. However, every transfer must arrive.
Notable additions: QB Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma), S Devonni Reed (Central Michigan), WR Antwane Wells (James Madison), TE Austin Stogner (Oklahoma)
The Gamecocks even surprised themselves at times in 2021 by turning an exhausted roster and a quarterback carousel into a promising 7-6 campaign. Catching the Florida and Auburn fences at the right time played a critical role, but South Carolina coach Shane Beamer has taken advantage of the shocking success to make it a real hit on the roster.
Rattler was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft last season before a tumultuous Oklahoma season ruled him out. Rattler still has perhaps the best overall talent in the college football arm and should provide an incredible upgrade. Beamer did well to surround him with goals, adding James Madison’s 1,200-yard Wells receiver and Arkansas State’s 800-yard Corey Rucker receiver.
The SEC East will take another step forward with Tennessee and Kentucky ready for special seasons, but South Carolina could take a step toward the top of the league if Beamer’s growth continues. To jot down the offensive talent of the transformed Gamecocks is an understatement.